Regional School Chief’s $15K Bonus Up for Board Vote

The West Morris Regional High School Board of Education has three agenda items up for a vote Monday night at its regular meeting, each of which could award Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast $5,197.50.

The three benchmarks, which were set for Pendergrast at the start of the school year, are merit bonuses that will each pay the school chief 3.3-percent of his $155,000 annual salary for a total of $15,592.50.

The first bonus up for approval is the Student Growth Objective; then the Language Arts HSPA Scores for Advanced Level Students; and final another bonus for Junior Class AP Exam Participation/Passing.

Pendergrast, who took on the role in March of 2012, just completed his second full school year as the superintendent. Pendergrast’s first contract in the position was for three years with an annual salary at the state cap of $155,000. In October 2013, the board voted to extend the administrator’s contract by another five years.

That extension didn’t come without debate, however, as residents from the Mendhams and Chesters, along with their representing board members, claimed the new accord was premature and too long. The extension was approved 6-2.

Monday night’s meeting will be held at West Morris Central High School at 7 p.m. in the library. It is open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend.